Immigration
Butzel Long is recognized as the premier international law firm in Michigan. The skilled team of attorneys in Butzel Longs Immigration Practice provides domestic and foreign-based clients with exceptional representation, multi-disciplinary support and creative problem solving to address a wide range of immigration issues, whether localized or on a global scale. In the 2011-2016 Best Law Firms report by U.S. News Media Group, the publisher of U.S. News & World Report, and Best Lawyers, Butzel Long was nationally ranked in Immigration Law and nationally recognized in Chambers USA.
Our diverse team is marked by resourcefulness and accessibility, has established relationships with members of the local and international immigration community and is dedicated to staying abreast of the latest developments in immigration law and practice. Our clients are as diverse as the issues we handle, including major corporations, small businesses, individuals and families based throughout the United States and the world.
Butzel Long's Immigration Practice provides legal services in the areas of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, U.S. permanent residence, citizenship, global migration, and employer compliance and worksite enforcement. Butzel Long partners with clients to deliver efficient and timely personalized services. We continuously review our processes and technology to add value and improve efficiency.
The Immigration Practice Group works closely with attorneys from the Firm's other practice areas where immigration issues intersect, such as Corporate, Tax, and Labor & Employment, to deliver prompt, specialized counsel on critical issues that impact our clients businesses.
Experience
- Obtained all types of visas for Mexico, including tourist, business, technical, Board members, pre-approved work permits, change of status, permanent resident, Exit and Re-Entry permits, and renewals
- Represented clients in complex naturalization matters including restoration of U.S. citizenship, appeals for denied naturalization applications, and evaluate strategies for overcoming grounds of ineligibility.
- Conducted in-house training on I-9 form compliance and retention, including electronic completion and storage of I-9 forms
- Represented clients in obtaining visas at various US Embassies and Consulates abroad
- Obtained permanent resident status pursuant to registry provisions based on residence in U.S. since January 1972
- Butzel Long shareholder is an Honorary Consul to the UK
- Provided preventative counseling on sending foreign expatriates to Mexico. Including immigration regulations, as well as labor and tax implication and employer sanctions
- Represented employers during investigations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Department of Labor regarding employment verification issues.
- Conducted internal audits of I-9 forms for clients
- Obtained re-entry permits to maintain permanent residence status in the United States for individuals transferred abroad
- Analyzed effect of corporate changes, including mergers and acquisitions, on foreign national’s immigration status.
- Advised employers regarding maintenance of employer/employee relationship when foreign national is placed offsite
- Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities and assistance with multi jurisdictional tax issues
- Prepared J-1 waivers of 2 year foreign residency requirement based on no-objection letters, interested government agencies, hardship and other grounds
- Provided preventative counseling on Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor investigations and employer sanctions.
- Represented clients in obtaining Mexican visas at various Mexican Embassies and Consulates abroad
- Consulted with clients regarding special permanent resident card interviews
- Preparation of J-1 Exchange Visitor and H-3 Trainee applications and petitions for employees of foreign companies with U.S. facilities
- Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities in Mexico, obtaining all necessary permits to carry out business and advise on all business related legal areas, in consistency with multi jurisdictional implications
- Analyzed eligibility for naturalization through parents or grandparents and prepare necessary documentation
- Represented employers during investigations conducted by USICE and USDOL regarding employment verification issues
- Represented clients with applications of waiver of inadmissibility due to past legal history or immigration history.
- Obtained re-entry permit to maintain permanent residency for individuals transferred overseas
- Represented employers in investigations conducted by the USDOL concerning H-1B Labor Condition Application public access file including benching and wage and hour issues.
- Represented clients seeking LPR status based on Cuban Adjustment Act
- Obtained removal of conditions on permanent residency
- Obtained approval of Immigration Petition for Alien of Extraordinary Ability for various professionals including engineers, scientists, corporate executives, professional athletes, entertainers, coaches, and trainers.
- Represented employers in USCIS administrative site visit
- Assisted family members in obtaining appropriate fianc
- Represented clients at Port of Entry to process admission to US under NAFTA
- Conducted in-house training on all areas related to doing business in Mexico
- Assisted with preservation of residency for naturalization purposes for individuals transferred overseas
- Obtained work visas in other countries such as Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Austria, etc.
- Conducted in-house training regarding preparing and maintaining H-1B public access files and Labor Certification Applications
- Assisted employers in obtaining appropriate nonimmigrant classification (TN, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, E-1/E-2, P) and immigrant classification (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-5).
- Managed multi-country projects and obtained work authorizations in multiple jurisdictions for individuals of various nationalities.
- Obtained waivers of inadmissibility including waivers for entry into Canada for individuals who have DUIs/DWIs
- Evaluated retention of dual citizenship for U.S. and other countries such as Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada, etc.
News
- November 11, 2020
- November 5, 2020
- October 20, 2020
- Latest workplace issues affecting southeast Michigan employers focus of October 29 (virtual) seminarOctober 19, 2020
- September 28, 2020
- September 18, 2020
- July 15, 2020
- June 24, 2020
- June 19, 2020
- March 30, 2020
- March 3, 2020
- November 19, 2019
- WJR - News - Talk - 760 AM, November 14, 2019
- November 1, 2019
- October 31, 2019
- October 8, 2019
- WJR - 760AM, August 13, 2019
- WJR - News Talk 760, August 12, 2019
- WJR-AM 760, August 1, 2019
- July 29, 2019
- July 25, 2019
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly, July 19, 2019
- June 17, 2019
- March 18, 2019
- Crain's Detroit Business, March 3, 2019
- Crain's Detroit Business, March 3, 2019
- January 9, 2019
- December 28, 2018
- November 5, 2018
- U.S. News & World Report, November 1, 2018
- WJR-AM 760, October 31, 2018
- September 13, 2018
- Butzel Long attorney Bushra Malik interviewed by National Public Radio on two new USCIS policy memosJuly 18, 2018
- June 13, 2018
- May 14, 2018
- April 20, 2018
- April 9, 2018
- April 5, 2018
- January 26, 2018
- January 11, 2018
- December 11, 2017
- December 4, 2017
- October 18, 2017
- September 20, 2017
- September 6, 2017
- September 5, 2017
- August 8, 2017
- June 27, 2017
- March 27, 2017
- March 7, 2017
- February 24, 2017
- January 30, 2017
- November 1, 2016
- September 26, 2016
- September 9, 2016
- June 22, 2016
- May 23, 2016
- March 21, 2016
- October 7, 2015
- August 28, 2015
- August 5, 2015
- June 11, 2015
- January 21, 2015
- October 7, 2014
- September 11, 2014
- July 1, 2014
- January 20, 2014
- November 7, 2013
- November 4, 2013
- November 1, 2013
- October 16, 2013
- September 5, 2013
- April 24, 2013
- April 3, 2013
- March 14, 2013
- November 5, 2012
- November 1, 2012
- October 18, 2012
- October 4, 2012
- November 9, 2011
- October 27, 2011
- June 9, 2011
- April 28, 2011
- March 22, 2011
- November 15, 2010
- October 27, 2010
- October 14, 2010
- September 2, 2010
- July 27, 2010
- July 15, 2010
- July 8, 2010
- June 17, 2010
- September 16, 2009
- August 19, 2009
- August 17, 2009
- July 6, 2009
- June 4, 2009
- February 10, 2009
- October 22, 2008
- September 25, 2008
- May 27, 2008
- Butzel Long attorney Reginald A. Pacis featured at program to attract foreign nationals to the stateApril 9, 2008
- March 20, 2008
- November 30, 2007
- November 9, 2007
- October 1, 2007
- April 17, 2007
- April 2, 2007
Team Members
- Shareholder
- Director
- Shareholder
- Shareholder
- Associate
- Associate
- Associate
Publications
- October 2, 2020
- September 28, 2020
- September 23, 2020
- June 23, 2020
- June 19, 2020
- June 10, 2020
- April 27, 2020
- April 24, 2020
- March 20, 2020
- March 18, 2020
- March 17, 2020
- March 16, 2020
- March 13, 2020
- January 23, 2020
- October 2, 2018
- June 28, 2018
- September 26, 2017
- June 30, 2017
- March 16, 2017
- February 1, 2017
- January 30, 2017
- December 1, 2016
- January 29, 2016
- February 24, 2015
- April 30, 2013
- March 15, 2013
- April 22, 2010
- April 29, 2009
- January 6, 2009
- August 14, 2008
- January 25, 2008
- November 30, 2007